Tag: St. Nicholas

God Glorified in His Saints (Mon. Nov. 28)

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “glorified.”  Today with 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10, we begin to read St. Paul’s second letter to his congregation in Thessalonica, the important crossroads of Macedonia.  The apostle writes from Ephesus in about 51 AD within months of his first letter.  But now, he refers to the “persecutions and tribulations” that his congregation is undergoing (vs. 4).  He consoles his flock in this port city that their afflictions are evidence that they are worthy of the kingdom of God, the reign of God for which they now suffer (vs. 5). St. Paul assures the faithful that God will settle accounts with their persecutors and those who neither know Him nor obey the gospel.  God will carry…

Taking Advantage of the Time (Sun. Dec. 6)

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “redeem.”  In our reading of Ephesians 5:9-19, St. Paul fixes his eyes on the horizon at the end of history, the coming of Christ in glory.  As we wait for Christ to establish the New Age of His Kingdom, St. Paul urges his flock to “walk circumspectly, not as fools but wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil” (vs. 15-16). In our reading, Paul urges his flock in Ephesus to live in the light of Christ’s coming.  They are to be awake—watchful and alert and ready to greet the approaching advent of Christ.  In Paul’s view, the Lord’s return is close at hand. Therefore, he advises his flock to “walk circumspectly,” They…